World champions Germany host Gareth Southgate’s England in an international friendly in Dortmund on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off).

Joachim Low’s side have finished in the top three at each of the last four World Cups, and finally went all the way in Brazil in 2014 thanks to Mario Gotze’s extra-time winner in the final against Argentina.

They have also reached at least the semi-finals in the last three European Championships, but were unable get to the final last year after losing 1-0 in the last four to hosts France, who would then go on to lose in the showpiece to Portugal.

Nonetheless, their recent major finals record is significantly better than that of England, who are already onto their second manager since last year’s Euro 2016 debacle, which saw Roy Hodgson’s men knocked out by minnows Iceland in the last 16.

Sam Allardyce lasted one game, and now former Middlesbrough boss Southgate is in charge after leading the side to two wins and two draws during his stint as caretaker, but Wednesday night will be his first match in permanent charge of the Three Lions.

England won the last meeting between the two sides, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in Berlin this time last year, and that is sure to give Southgate and his squad much confidence ahead of Wednesday’s friendly.

So, with the build-up well underway ahead of Wednesday’s encounter, we at Shoot! have selected our ultimate Germany-England six-a-side team from the two country’s squads for Wednesday’s game…

Joe Hart

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is probably the best in the world at present, but he has an injury which rules him out of Wednesday’s clash with England.

Thus, Three Lions number one Joe Hart benefits by getting a place in this team.

The Torino shot-stopper, on loan from Manchester City this season, has been England’s first choice for a number of years now, and although Tom Heaten and Fraser Forster are both excellent goalkeepers, Hart still trumps them both.

He has had a decent season in Serie A, keeping five clean sheets in 27 appearances, and although he made costly errors in their 2-2 with Inter Milan last weekend, he is still a top quality keeper, and one who gets the nod in this side.

Mats Hummels

There aren’t many better defenders in world football than Germany’s Mats Hummels.

The 28-year-old moved to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich last summer after seriously impressing for their rivals Borussia Dortmund, in which time he twice helped them win the German title, as well as reach the final of the Champions League.

Strong, powerful, but also confident on the ball and technically sound, Hummels outdoes every other centre-back in both squads, especially with compatriot Jerome Boateng not included after injury, so he comfortably makes this side.

Kyle Walker

Both of Tottenham’s full-backs have been outstanding in recent times for both their club and England, but with Danny Rose out injured, it’s Kyle Walker who gets the nod.

The 26-year-old made his debut for his country all the way back in 2011, but struggled at times during 2014/15 campaign, before producing some of his best form for Spurs last term in helping them to third place in the Premier League.

That form saw him move above Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne in the England right-back pecking order, and with five assists this season for Tottenham, as well as being the only Three Lions player who actually performed well at the Euro’s last summer, Walker deserves his place in this team ahead of Joshua Kimmich and Ryan Bertrand.

Toni Kroos

There aren’t many better central midfielders in world football than Germany’s Toni Kroos.

The Real Madrid star has won almost everything there is to win in the game, securing three league titles, two Champions League crowns, and countless domestic cup honours, as well as the World Cup with his country in 2014.

The 27-year-old has incredible vision and can pick a pass from anywhere on the field, while he is also physically strong and keeps possession brilliantly under pressure.

Kroos can do almost everything expected of a central midfielder, which means that he is a shoe-in for this team.

Leroy Sane

With Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley, and Dele Alli, England have some excellent attacking options that are sure to cause Germany some problems on Wednesday.

However, given his recent good form and confidence to take defenders on with his pace and trickery, Germany’s Leroy Sane just gets the nod in this side ahead of those three, as well as countryman Julian Draxler.

The 21-year-old made a slow start to life at Manchester City, but since Guardiola backed him in a front three alongside Sterling and Sergio Aguero, he has been in scintillating form.

Sane has managed four goals and two assists in his last seven games for the Citizens, and although he still is guilty of making the wrong decisions or that his final ball lets him down, he is very tricky to defend against.

With so many great attacking options on either side, Wednesday night should be an exciting clash between the two in Dortmund.

Thomas Muller

Arguably, England’s best two strikers are out injured at present, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge nursing ankle and hip problems respectively.

But whether they’d dethrone Germany’s Thomas Muller from this side is far from certain.

The Bayern Munich forward has been a prolific goal-scorer throughout his career, netting 152 goals in 353 games for the German side since his debut back in 2008.

However, the 27-year-old has struggled in front of goal this term, scoring just six times for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, but he has laid on ten assists for Bayern thus far, more than any other player.

Nonetheless, with 36 goals in 83 caps for Germany, Muller is a quality forward who is always a threat, and thus gets a place in this side.